Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-08
JEFF DAVIS SPEECH.
The Grey Haired Statesman and Soldier
Pays Tribute to Sidney Johnston.

The Grey Haired Statesman and Soldier
Pays a Tribute to Sidney Johnston.
NEW ORLEANS, La, April AFTER the
procession had reached the cemetery and
Senator Gibson had delivered an Grafton,
Jefferson Davis was introduced. The
applause was deafening and continued
some time. Mr.. Davis said "Ladies
and gentlemen, if words could add any
thing to the effect which this scene pro-
duCes, then l should regret that physical
ability does not allow me to address SO
large an audience as this. General John
stOn's fame rests on his deeds. 1t re
qured no embellishments from any one,
and if it did, the able Grafton you have
heard has done all that occasion
could require. To you, my brethren
of the Louisiana lewiston, Army OF
the Tennessee, l wish to offer my con-
gratulatiOns for your eminent success in
the task you undertook despite the ieers
and evil prophecy of those who said you
could not succeed. You have succeeded
pointing to the statue and there is to-
day, | believe, the best equestrian statue
man and horse-that is 10 be found in
any country. Applause. There is the
head and neck, familiar TO many of you,
death wound. Copied, l know not how
but by instinct. There is the grand figure
of our hero as we have seen him
as well as The fearless soldier. You have
done we'll to embody this hero's statue
in material more enduring than granite.
Not that his fame was likely to diminish
nor that you required any visits to re
mind of hiS or No
affections for him, but that in coming
time as the youths Of our country pass
by they may look at that statue AID say
well, who is this?' and learn the story
Of man who was as good as he was
great, and as great as humanity permits
men to be-" The speaker then dWeIt at
some length upon the intimacy Of his
acquaintance wish Johnston, having
been associated with him in col
lege and the military academy, where
he was recognized as the grandest char
acter in the class, and proceeded as fol-
lows: eve entered the army together
and were in the same branch Of the SER
vice. We were together in the barracks
and in the Indian campaigns, and [ re-
member now the time when | saw him.
When a deadly disease was spreading
among the men in camp. Sidney John
stOn was there, himself suffering, yet
calm, and attentive TO those who were
suffering more than himself. He knew no
it was not in his nature to do
$50. The man who had been as lion in
battles, when he stopped over q suffering
eOmrade, his eyes moistened with more
than mothers weakness. Such was the
naSure6f this mans heart. Then we
served in foreign war together. Icould
not tell you much of that period without
being subject to the charge of egOtism, for
singly and alone we Two have stood where
death seemed to come every moment, and
there Sidney Johnston was as calm as l
ever saw him in camp. His decision was
as quick as rifle powder. l speak to in
fantry men, who know how quick it is.
Then there was characteristic of him
which prevailed throughout the whole
course of his life, and that was his chival-
rous temper. He never deserted friend
and was prone to step in front of friend
when he saw him led.
He was knightly by knight errantry When
he saw Texas struggling for right he
thought belonged TO her-the right OF self
goverBment-he went to volunteer,
without recommendation, taking his place
in the ranks to fight for the liberty of
Texas IN order that she might have a gov
eminent of her own. AS time wore on mis-
merit was discovered, and he was raised
to rank and position. When the war
with Mexico began we had but few troops
on the Rio Grande, aud in the beginning
Of the war there seemed little probability
Of success. General Johnston organized
a regiment Of which he vas Colonel, and
marched Immediately TO the sup
port OF Zachary Taylor. Alter
wards he was on the staff of
General Taylor. I will not worry
you by going into details. voice in
the crowd-"G0 on" After thu war
with Mexico-ny friend, VIII go on g
little longer-Capplause] ne was appoint
ed postmaster under the administration
OF Pierce, & Yankee who never faltered
in the maintenance of the state rights,
man who, in the Senate Of the United
States voted for every one OF the rssOlu
tiCns of Calhoun, though many southern
voters did 60 reluctantly. Thsnks to New
Hampshire for raising such q man as
Franklin Pierce. Pierce appointed Gen
eral Johnston postmaster and Colonel OF
the Second Cavalry, regiment which
gave more distinguished officers to both
armies in the war between the states than
any other in the UDited States army.
Buchanan, when President, sent to me to
ask, who do you think ought TO have